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I do find it quite odd that Hina arc ends at eps 13, exactly at one cour. Coincidence, or a change of focus (and ED) coming the episode after? We can only wait and see.

It's definitely no coincidence. They also restructured the DVD releases in a somewhat unusual way specifically so that the first 13 episodes would be on 5 discs that end at episode 13. And in fact, early indications do suggest that the rest of what you suggested will likely be true as well -- shift in focus, change in ED, etc. But actually, the original Hayate anime also tended to have arcs that wrapped up right around the anime season breaks, so it's not exactly new either. But in any case, it all seems to be completely intentional.

Oh my, if I had known Hina was going to sing I would have prepared myself more properly for the occasion.

Anyways, it was a stellar build-up episode, doing a splendid job at it's purpose. Kotetsu really is an interesting person, and I have to wonder whether he or the SPs are more useless overall. I hope he doesn't become fodder for even the minor characters to eat like Himuro and Azumamiya, though that doesn't seem to be the case according to the spoilers in this topic. A character who I wouldn't mind becoming minor fodder though is Nagi herself. I'm just not too fond of the girl, and it's even worse when her blind and one sided love is now getting in the way on the true developments for Hayate. Go back to being the Index of this show twin tails, it makes for a more entertaining show overall. Sorry to all those Nagi fans out there, but to each their own. Though I do have to admit that her being such a detestable kidnapee was quite amusing.

So on to the main event, the Hina concert. Points for cosplay! Points for singing Cruel Angel Thesis! Points for syncing it along with Hayate's little running montage, which was epic in its own strange way. I was choking on my drink though when Hayate ended up forgetting about his promise to Hina thanks to twintails, but he pulled through in the end, and now it seems like the stage is set for some mind-blowing revelations next week. I won't lie, I'm quite excited, and not knowing what's going to happen is a huge plus as well.

Other minor points... I'm really starting to take a shine to both Wataru and Sakuya. They work not just together, but as stand alone characters, and I have no idea why it took this long for me to realize this. They need more screentime.

Speaking of which, am I the only one who misses Wakamoto's more prominent role in the first season?

It's definitely no coincidence. They also restructured the DVD releases in a somewhat unusual way specifically so that the first 13 episodes would be on 5 discs that end at episode 13. And in fact, early indications do suggest that the rest of what you suggested will likely be true as well -- shift in focus, change in ED, etc. But actually, the original Hayate anime also tended to have arcs that wrapped up right around the anime season breaks, so it's not exactly new either. But in any case, it all seems to be completely intentional.

Don't a lot of series have "mini-finales" at each (or some) cour mark, or at around halfway through the series? Be it just ending an arc there or something more significant.

Don't a lot of series have "mini-finales" at each (or some) cour mark, or at around halfway through the series? Be it just ending an arc there or something more significant.

It doesn't always happen of course, but that can often be the case. There could be a lot of reasons for this, but one I can think of is that they know that people will have their interest tugged in many directions as new shows come on the market in the new season. So, having a strong showing at around this stage encourages viewers to stick with the show for the next half, rather than giving up and trying something else. It's all part of the natural writing pattern of putting the best parts at the beginning and the end, because people will tend to forget the middle. I guess that anime writers have probably also gotten used to the 12/13 episode pattern when planning their stories, so they pace things accordingly.

So anyway, yeah, I think you're right. That being said, it seems especially pronounced in this case. We'll see...

While I found that arc to be interesting and a nice backstory for Hayate, I prefer the series when it's not taking itself seriously, because that's part of the charm of Hayate that I like.

I'll take giving Hayate a backstory and actual character development over playing the naive, clueless, never going to actually go anywhere and do a damn thing with any of the characters no matter what they do / end up in / etc. At this point you could just attach a tape recoder to a cardboard cutout of Hayate and you'd get about the same amount of character out of him.

I'll take giving Hayate a backstory and actual character development over playing the naive, clueless, never going to actually go anywhere and do a damn thing with any of the characters no matter what they do / end up in / etc. At this point you could just attach a tape recoder to a cardboard cutout of Hayate and you'd get about the same amount of character out of him.

Well, actually...

... I'd like to say something about him and Ayumu, but I don't really want to spoil that much, even with a spoiler tag right now. I'll just say to wait until chapter 157 if you follow the manga.

He'll probably always think Hina actually does hate him because of her overly-tsundereness, and if he were given the chance, I wouldn't be surprised if he did go for Maria (just look at the way Hayate ogles her). So I wouldn't really blame him for doing nothing.

EDIT: And the way I see it, the series is more about the development of the non-Hayate characters than it is for Hayate.

... I'd like to say something about him and Ayumu, but I don't really want to spoil that much, even with a spoiler tag right now. I'll just say to wait until chapter 157 if you follow the manga.

I follow what's out, but the manga isn't out for that part yet.

Not that I really care for Ayumu either.

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He'll probably always think Hina actually does hate him because of her overly-tsundereness, and if he were given the chance, I wouldn't be surprised if he did go for Maria (just look at the way Hayate ogles her). So I wouldn't really blame him for doing nothing.

Well at least he actually OGLES her, that shows that something's working.

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EDIT: And the way I see it, the series is more about the development of the non-Hayate characters than it is for Hayate.

Athen arc would only lead to many different arc being left behind. And I think if they decide to
do it only the flashback memory ogf hayate if they start airing it. They will probably
make a crappy ending like season 1 and I don't want that to happen.
I like saku and ayumu and field trip arc they shouldn't skip it. Plus their are more interesting
arc to come. They should and MUST show it. Its a great plot development.
They could skip the single day to day event but some of it are interesting. But the arc
story are a must.